Ricketts picked to SEC First-Team

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas sophomore C’eira Ricketts was selected to the Southeastern Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason All-SEC First-Team the league office announced today. Ricketts, a Louisville, Ky., native, was the SEC Co-Freshman of the Year last season and earned selection to the SEC Second-Team as well. The 5-9 guard was one of eight first-team selections. "I’m really happy for C’eira," Arkansas head coach Tom Collen said. "I know I’ve said this before but this makes the target on her back even bigger. I’m confident that she’s up to the challenge and I hope that this preseason recognition gives her the confidence to go out and reach her goals." Ricketts is believed to be the second Arkansas player to earn SEC First-Team preseason honors joining former Razorback Shameka Christon (2001-04) in the six-year history of the poll. Ricketts honors included Associated Press SEC Newcomer of the Year, and selection to the Full Court Press Freshman All-America Team in 2008-09. She led Arkansas in scoring, assists and steals as the Razorbacks went 18-14 and returned to the postseason for the first time since 2005. Averaging 12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.9 apg and 2.6 spg, Ricketts became the first player in Razorback women’s basketball history to record a triple double. The 5-8 Louisville, Ky., product scored 14 points with 13 rebounds and 12 assists against SEC Champion Auburn in January. A five-time pick as the SEC Freshman of the Week, Ricketts was the top scoring freshman in the SEC for most of the season, and led the league in steals. Along with her triple, the freshman had four more double-double games with over 10 points scoring and 10 rebounds. From her point guard position, Ricketts was Arkansas’ second leading rebounder. Ricketts expanded her experience over the summer winning a gold medal with the U19 USA Women’s Basketball team in Bangkok, Thailand. As a team, the Razorbacks were predicated to place ninth overall in the league. Tennessee was picked in the top spot in one of the closest votes in poll history. The Lady Vols captured 112 points, just one more than LSU with 111. The Tigers were picked in second place. "It’s always interesting to see the difference in the coaches and media polls," Collen said. "The bottom line is that you have to go out, play the game and see who wins. We’re looking forward to the challenge of proving that we are an upper division team this year." The Razorbacks were forecasted in seventh place in the media poll last week. Tennessee and LSU lead the league followed by Mississippi State in third with 100 points, Georgia in fourth with 91 and Vanderbilt in fifth with 86. The race tightens up a bit in the middle of the pack with South Carolina, Florida, Auburn and Arkansas separated by four places and just seven votes. The Gamecocks are picked sixth with 56 points, one ahead of Florida in seventh with 55 points. Auburn is eighth at 51 followed by Arkansas in ninth with 49 points. The final three teams are Ole Miss with 39 points, Kentucky with 27 and Alabama with 13. The Razorbacks host Northeastern State Nov. 4, in exhibition action in Bud Walton Arena at 7 p.m. Arkansas opens the regular season Nov. 15 hosting Alcorn State in Hot Springs, Ark. For more information about Razorback women’s basketball, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.2009 SEC Women’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll